This week, I’m asking the question “Who’s on your support team?”  Who can you call when you have a sick child, a late night at the office, or a sudden emergency that requires backup?  If you don’t have anyone in mind, can we brainstorm together about how you might assemble a few friends or neighbors who can “be there” when you need extra hands?  Let’s talk about it!

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I’m so happy to be returning once again to the Boston area for a special visit!  I hope you’ll join me for the following events:

Sunday, October 17 – “Meet and Greet” with Lisa Hendey and Pat Gohn at John Harvard’s in Cambridge – 2:30 – 4:30 pm.  Join us for a “no host” gathering with Boston area friends.  Come for as long as your schedule permits. I will be attending 5:00 pm Mass that night at St. Paul Parish in Cambridge.

Monday, October 18 – St. Paul Parish, Wellesley – Join Lisa Hendey and musical guest Susan Bailey for a special evening sponsored by the St. Paul’s WINGS group.  The event begins at 7:00 pm and the charge is $10 per person.

Event Details:

502 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02482

Sponsored by WINGS, Women In God’s Spirit

For more information please contact: Kay Kociuba at 781-237-1243 or kayeli43@yahoo.com or Eva Russell at 508-620-7632 or eva.russell@verizon.net.

Thursday, September 30, 2010
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Holy Family Church, St. Joseph Center
1524 Fremont Avenue
South Pasadena

No Fee—suggested donation of $5.00

I hope friends and readers living in Southern California will be able to come out and join us for either the morning or evening session.  In the mean time, please say a prayer for all of the women of Holy Family and those who will attend this event, for a great, fruitful experience.

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Please join me in thanking our Catholic Moments contributors by visiting their sites:  Deacon Tom Fox, Lisa Mladnich, Avery, Sarah Reinhard.

This episode of Catholic Moments is sponsored by CatholicMatch.com, the Leading Catholic Singles Community.  Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

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One of the highlights of my trip was serving on a panel relating Theology of the Body with the topic of Pastoral Ministry.  Our “rock star” panel included Fr. Brian Bransfield, Fr. Roger Landry, Sr. Mary Elizabeth Wusinich and Dr. Gregory Popcak. I had a front row seat for their conversation on the realities of taking TOB into the “real world”.

Another highlight of the week was hearing a keynote by Dr. Michael Waldstein, author of Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology Of The Body. His talk on “The Treasure of the ‘Hidden Talks’ of the “Theology of the Body: New Insights and Implications” was wonderful.

The following video was shot on my phone at the closing Mass celebrated by Cardinal Justin Rigali.  It gives a very small glimpse into some of the tone of the Congress.

I will like to congratulate the Theology of the Body Congress, The Maximus Group and the event sponsors for organizing such a fruitful gathering.  The following press release also gives and overview of the highlights of the TOB Congress. I hope they are able to repeat the event next year!

Philadelphia Cardinal calls the Theology of the Body ‘the curriculum for the Culture of Life’

Cardinal Justin Rigali calls for the National Theology of the Body Congress to become an on-going campaign of human and catechetical formation

PHILADELPHIA, July 30 – Joined by more than 50 priests and two Bishops, Cardinal Justin Rigali delivered a powerful call to action to attendees of the first National Theology of the Body Congress. He urged, “This Congress must not end. The contribution of the speakers and participants, the fruits of the seminars, discussions, and artistic performances must advance still further. This Congress must become a campaign of human and catechetical formation.”

He called for the mining and proclamation of the rich content presented at the Congress “so that the next generation can continue to access and comprehend it.”

The National Theology of the Body Congress organized and hosted by the Theology of the Body Institute drew attendees from 10 countries and 39 U.S. states. They represented 111 dioceses. Two bishops, more than 50 priests, six deacons and dozens of other religious were among the more-than 450 attendees. Because the Congress sold out very quickly the Theology of the Body Institute offered live streaming during the Congress that attracted online attendees from 17 U.S. states, and 10 countries on five continents.

Cardinal Rigali, who also serves as the Episcopal Chairman of the Theology of the Body Institute, remarked on the great work of this inaugural event, which he noted as occurring exactly three decades after John Paul II introduced the theology of the body. “Today, this First National Congress on the Theology of the Body shows us that the catechesis given thirty years ago is now the curriculum of the Culture of Life,” Cardinal Rigali said in his homily during the Mass this morning. The Cardinal went on further to say that the “teaching of John Paul II on the theology of the body must be further introduced into Pre-Cana programs, RCIA instruction, Natural Family Planning training, parish adult education programs, campus ministry programs, youth groups, homilies, and religious education among children and adolescents.”

The Congress included keynote addresses, workshops and panel discussions featuring some of the most popular theology of the body lecturers and catechists in the world.

“Being a participant at the National Theology of the Body Congress has been a complete and total blessing,” Congress presenter and popular author and blogger Lisa Hendey said. “I feel honored to have been here and will go home inspired about further incorporating theology of the body teachings into my daily family life, my parish community and my work in support of Catholic moms.”

Other presenters included Fr. Brian Bransfield, executive director of the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis; Dr. Michael Waldstein, the English translator of the Pope’s Theology of the Body; Helen M. Alvaré, law professor at George Mason University; Fr. Robert M. Hogan, author of three books on the theology of the body and one of the first published authors on the catechesis of Venerable Pope John Paul II; ethicist and moral theologian Dr. Pia de Solenni; and many others.

Reflecting on the Cardinal’s words, Theology of the Body Institute Chairman, David Savage said, “The Cardinal’s vision for this teaching fits completely within the mission of the Theology of the Body Institute. This Congress was designed to be a nexus for dialogue and discussion on exactly how we bring the theology of the body to the world. I believe we accomplished that and I am confident that the leadership who gathered here this week are going back to their dioceses around the world with a great commission that fits firmly within the Church’s mission in the New Evangelization.”

In addition to more than three-dozen addresses, workshops and panel discussions, the Congress was the setting for an Awards Banquet, in which five honorees were acknowledged for their pioneering work in the theology of the body. Award recipients included Pauline Books and Media, Fr. Richard M. Hogan, Ann and Valentine Coelho; the Ruah Woods Education Center, and the Theology of the Body International Alliance.

For more information on the first National Theology of the Body Congress or the Theology of the Body Institute, please contact Christine Schicker with The Maximus Group at 404-610-8871.

I am deeply honored to be moderating a panel at this year’s Theology of the Body Congress. The good news that this year’s Congress sold out months ago prompted conference organizers to make the events available via live streaming.  The following information tells you about the streaming and how to register. I hope if you’re not able to join us in person that you’ll consider supporting the Congress by registering for the live stream.

Unable to attend the National Theology of the Body Congress?

The Theology of the Body Institute announces Live Streaming of content for this Premier event!

Due to the overwhelming response to this first-ever Theology of the Body Congress, we have opened a live-streaming option!

You can still be a part of this historic gathering!

Live-streaming of the Congress’ key presentations is available for only $79! Register here for Online Access!

Click here to see some of the presenters and featured talks you’ll be able to watch when you sign up for this outstanding offer.

This is a great lineup of some of the most well-known experts on Theology of the Body, the landmark teaching of Venerable Pope John Paul II.

Among the 450 attendees are 42 priests, 16 sisters and five deacons. Thirty-five U.S. states and 10 countries are represented. This Congress has truly attracted worldwide attention and response.

This live-streaming option is sponsored by our friends at MyCatholicVoice, and it’s designed and intended to give you opportunities to watch this memorable Congress live with:

• Your parish’s Theology of the Body group
• Your university or college enrichment group
• Your parish’s religious education or faith formation groups
• Other members of your parish in the church or appropriate venue
• Members of your parish organization
• High school staff and interested parents
• Everyone who shares your passion for the Theology of the Body

Become a part of this life-changing event!

Register Now!

Live-Streaming of the National Theology of the Body Congress is sponsored by

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This episode of Catholic Moments is sponsored by CatholicMatch.com, the Leading Catholic Singles Community.  Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

I think I’m especially appreciating this meeting’s major theme of working on marriages since I’ve had recent experience with some troubled marriages in my life recently.  Perhaps it’s hitting one’s “late forties” that has opened my eyes to the lifelong hard work it takes to keep a strong marriage intact.  Honestly, even after twenty-four years of true love, I still feel as though Greg and I are learning day-by-day to truly love and serve one another and to keep Christ at the center of our relationship.

Being here is like being surrounded by newlyweds of all ages.  You see couples walking hand in hand, praying together, and listening diligently to the information being presented so that they can take it back to their dioceses and parishes.  I’ve never been on a Marriage Encounter weekend, but I’d imagine it has a similar vibe – just a good feeling that comes from being surrounded by many people who are really truly in love with the Lord and one another.

Tonight, our event opened with a prayer service led by Bishop Conlon of the Diocese of Steubenville.  His opening remarks underscored the importance of these meetings in reinvigorating the state of marriage in our Church.  Bishop Conlon was followed by the always-amazing Teresa Tomeo, who gave a keynote based on her book Noise: How Our Media-saturated Culture Dominates Lives and Dismantles Families, which has a spot of honor on my desk.  Although I’ve spoken with Teresa several times on the telephone, my brief chance to meet her in person today was a big honor for me.  Teresa’s commitment to her faith, her energy and zeal for her life’s work, and her fantastic communication skills make her one of my role models.  If you don’t already own  Noise, do yourself a favor and buy it today.  And if you ever have the chance to hear Teresa speak in person, no matter how far you have to travel to do so, go for it!  I guarantee that you will be edified and inspired!

To cap off an already perfect day (hey, even my flights were perfect – on time, and I got the exit row!), tonight we celebrated a beautiful Mass in the chapel here at Xavier University.  With two bishops presiding and a church full of amazing people, you could truly feel the power of the Holy Spirit among us.

Now it’s off to bed, as I am waking up early for my 8:30 (ET) visit with Brian Patrick and the crew of the Son Rise Morning Show.  Producer and friend Matt Swaim, author of The Eucharist and the Rosary: Mystery, Meditation, Power, Prayer is kindly allowing me to crash the studio early for a field trip.

I hope to share more tomorrow about the conference.  Others here tomorrow include Matthew Kelly and Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak.  Until then, God bless you!

Mentioned in this week’s show:

• John Michael Talbot
• Illuminated Ink
• Wee Believers
• Vatican Library Collection
• Pauline Books and Media
• 10-20-30 Go!
• Bert Ghezzi
• The Word Among Us
• Paulist Press
• Ave Maria Press

This episode of Catholic Moments is sponsored by CatholicMatch.com, the Leading Catholic Singles Community.  Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

The Congress will seek to recognize outstanding accomplishments in promoting, living and understanding the Theology of the Body. Excellence demonstrated in Theology of the Body through the various fields of arts, academia, social justice, diocesan outreach, parish outreach, publishing, catechesis, activism, evangelization will be considered.

To make your nominations, visit the Theology of the Body website by June 11. What a wonderful way to recognize an individual or organization who is making a difference in this world!

• St. James Church – Basking Ridge, NJ – “Nurturing Your Family’s Faith Life with 21st Century Resources” – June 13, 2010 – 4:00 pm – Event Details
• St. Catharine’s Church – Glen Rock, NJ – “Raising Faith Filled Children in Today’s Technological Climate” – June 14, 2010 – 7:30 pm – Event Details
• Meet and Greet/Mom’s Night Out Event – Pauline Book Center, New York, NY – June 15, 2010, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm 212.754.1110 – Event Details

Thought I’d share a few of these items with you in a quick way.  More details on several of these to follow soon!

• The Office of Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has a new blog.  Way to go Dione Grillo!  Find them here.
• SQPN Connect has a new home here to replace the old and soon to be defunct Ning feature.  Easy to find and a great place to “hang out” when you have five spare minutes and want to spend them with fun friends!
• Facebook is up to their revisions again – check out your privacy settings to double check what you and your children are putting “out there”.
• Faith & Family will be sponsoring a great event on October 30.  Join Danielle Bean, Rachel Balducci and me plus other great members from the F&F team at St. Michael’s parish in North Andover, MA.  Details here.  Happy news for me, since I’ll get to hang out with some of my favorite bloggers and make a side trip to visit Eric at Harvard.  Be there!
• Father Robert Reed of Catholic TV was recently featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” discussing Catholic TV’s move to include 3D videos – how cool is that!
• Speaking of cool priests – Fr. James Martin, SJ is all over the place.  His great book The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life continues to occupy the top spot on the Catholic bestseller list at Amazon.  He had a great post on The Huffington Post this week and was also featured over at BigThink with a video series.  I loved his comments below on being a regular on Colbert – Go Fr. Jim!
• I’ll be back tomorrow with more – hope you’ve had a terrific day!

• Meet and Greet/Mom’s Nigh Out Event – Pauline Book Center, Chicago, IL – April 14, 2010 6:30 pm – Event Details
• Book Talk, Signing and Reception – University of Notre Dame Hammes Bookstore – April 17, 2010 1:00 pm – Event Details

Mom and I woke up in Long Beach this morning.  Our trek to this year’s Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Religious Education Congress began yesterday with a quick jaunt to Seal Beach.  God was working overtime.  With temps in the 80s, my favorite beach town had laid out the red carpet for revelers looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Main Street’s many Irish spots. 

Tomorrow, I will stand in room that holds 900 souls and speak on the topic of “Faith Formation for the Facebook Generation”.  The thought of it fills me with both fear and great excitement.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak here twice on the great strides happening in Catholic New Media.  I represent so many of you who are out there using technology to share your love of our faith. 

Durig the next few days, I will be doing my best to post a few thoughts and photos from Congress here on the site and at my Facebook page.  Stay tuned for more blessings!!

I teased Father Rafael that he should go into the car sales business – when he first invited me to speak, I must admit that I doubted how many people would show up to church on Saturday night to watch a black and white film about Our Lady of Fatima.

Well, Fr. Rafael and the families of St. Joachim’s proved me wrong!  Over three hundred tickets were sold and the parish hall was packed  to capacity to watch this amazing movie.  After the film, we were treated to a very informative question and answer session by another of the Oblate priests from the parish.

If you haven’t already heard Catholic Moments Podcast #129, be sure to check out a press conference that provides a tremendous overview of the making of The 13th Day.

I love visiting parishes and must say that my trip to St. Joachim’s gave me an even greater desire to do more of this in the year ahead.  I want to congratulate Fr. Rafael and his TOBers on an outstanding event.  You managed to raise funds while providing a fun, inspirational, and educational evening for your entire parish family.  I hope I’m invited to your next Movie Night!

To contact me about speaking at your parish or organization, email LisaHendey@gmail.com.

Today — Sarah Reinhard is featured on a combined Deacon Moment and a Mary Moment. We hope you’ll join us as Sarah discusses her conversion to the Catholic Faith and how Mary was close to Sarah during her entire journey into the Church.

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with CatholicMatch.com as they begin sponsoring this podcast.  Please support CatholicMatch.com and be sure to enter our current CatholicMatch.com for your opportunity to win a three month membership to the Leading Catholic Singles Community.

This episode of Catholic Moments is sponsored by CatholicMatch.com, the Leading Catholic Singles Community.  Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this Episode:

• Deborah Schaben – Facebook, Twitter
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